“Happy to take a point” – post-match reaction to #BMGFCB

Hear from Yann Sommer, Patrick Herrmann and both head coaches following Borussia’s 1-1 draw against FC Bayern München.

Yann Sommer: It’s been a while since we have been able to enjoy such a fantastic atmosphere here at BORUSSIA-PARK. I had goosebumps during kick-off. It’s so much more fun to share in the emotions of the game with the fans. We started with a lot of energy and went on to press them high and hard. That allowed us to deservedly take the lead. Unfortunately, as the game progressed we became more defensive, which played straight into Bayern’s hands. Bayern had several good chances, but so did we in the closing stages of the game. Overall, I’m pleased with our performance and am happy to take the point.

Patrick Herrmann: Taking a point off Bayern is always good, even if we had several chances towards the end and could have even won the game. There were also two controversial moments in the latter stages of the game which, in my opinion, were both penalties. Especially the second one, you can definitely give that. Bayern also had a few good chances earlier where they could have taken the lead, so the draw is an acceptable result in the end. It was a really great season opener. We finally had the fans back in the stands, and they served for an amazing atmosphere. Now, the season can finally get underway properly.

Head coach Adi Hütter: I think it was a spectacular game. The atmosphere was amazing, and we were all really happy to see that many fans back in the stands. I think we dominated the opening and closing stages of the game. Yann Sommer and Manuel Neuer both made some great saves. I don’t enjoy being asked to discuss the referee’s performance, but I’ve since re-watched both the controversial incidents from the latter stages of the game, and I don’t think you can argue against awarding a penalty for either one. That would have likely won the game for us. I deserved to be shown a yellow for how I reacted to the situation, and have already apologised for it. In the end, I think it was a deserved draw between two sides that were both playing to win. Of course we still have room for improvement. However, we already witnessed a great game of football tonight.

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann (FC Bayern München): I think that, considering how many fans were allowed back for the first time, that it was a very exciting and back-and-forth game. We started slow and allowed our opponents three clear-cut chances, one of which led to a goal. We fully deserved to concede during that stage of the game. We lost possession often when we were trying to build out from the back and Gladbach were pressing hard. We improved in the lead-up to the half-time break, and were then able to equalise. We then had another two or three great chances to score in the second half. Yann Sommer made several saves. We then played well in the first 15 minutes after the break and should have scored a second goal then. Then came another good phase for Gladbach, during which they had the better chances to score again. In the end, it was a very back and forth game. Overall, it’s a deserved draw- But, I don’t think the scoreline represents your typical 1-1 draw, because both sides had far too many chances for that to be the case.